Brazed joining with electrical deposition

Abstract

The present method creates a relatively thin in situ brazing alloy layer upon first and second component edges which are brought together in order to create a component joint. This in situ brazing alloy layer is created by deposition of brazing elements, such as copper or nickel, from an electrical discharge cutting process electrode depletion utilized in order to cut the component edges, and then a subsequent brazing technique creates through interstitial migration between that brazing alloy layer and the underlying material substrate of the components a robust component joint wherein the in situ brazing alloy layer penetrates the respective component cut edge surface to only a limited depth such that the geometric effect is similarly limited, and the properties of the underlying component material structure are maintained.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of forming a component joint, the method comprising:
 cutting at least a first edge of a first component and a second edge on the first component or on a second component by electrical deposition technique using an electrode comprising at least one brazing element selected from copper or nickel such that there is a migration of the at least one brazing element from the electrical deposition technique into the first edge and the second edge in order to form an in situ brazing alloy layer upon the first edge and the second edge; 
 bringing the second edge into a juxtaposed position to the first edge; and 
 heating the first and second edges to form a brazed joint between the first edge and the second edge. 
 
     
     
       2. A method as claimed in  claim 1  characterized in that the electrical deposition technique is performed under an electrolyte including particulate carbon matter which becomes incorporated into the brazing alloy layer. 
     
     
       3. A method as claimed in  claim 1  characterized in that the brazing alloy layer formed about the first edge is different from the brazing alloy layer formed about the second edge in terms of constituent composition. 
     
     
       4. A method as claimed in  claim 1  characterized in that the electrical deposition technique provides for undulating topography along the first and second edge. 
     
     
       5. A method as claimed in  claim 1  characterized in that the electrical deposition technique renders the first and second edge with a porous nature. 
     
     
       6. A method as claimed in  claim 1  characterized in that the heating means is through resistive or laser heating between the first and second edges under compression. 
     
     
       7. A method as claimed in  claim 1  characterized in that the first edge and the second edge are heated in a furnace in order to form the brazed joint. 
     
     
       8. A method as claimed in  claim 1  characterized in that the first edge and the second edge are provided in the first component in order that the brazed joint forms a seam in a structure there along. 
     
     
       9. A method as claimed in  claim 4  characterized in that the first edge and the second edge are matched in terms of undulations.